HANOI, Vietnam — Heavy rains have caused major flooding in central Vietnam, with rivers swelling and submerging homes, farmland and tourist destinations including the historic cities of Hue and Hoi An.

Rainfall in the central city of Hue reached 1,085 millimetres (42 inches) in 24 hours by late Monday, the highest volume ever recorded in Vietnam, according to the country’s meteorological department.

By Tuesday morning, water levels in Hue’s iconic Perfume River had risen to 4.62 metres (15 feet) and were waist-deep in the UNESCO-listed former imperial capital and the ancient town of Hoi An.

Tourists were evacuated by boat from Hoi An after persistent rains and releases from hydroelectric dams caused water in the Hoai River to rise nearly 2 metres (6 1/2 feet). State media said around 40

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